Programming. Electronics. Open-source. Pseudo-random opinions.

Graduation Celebration

Yesterday, I graduated from Cal Poly Pomona with a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science. It's been quite a long journey for me, and I've learned a ton of stuff along the way. It really feels like I earned this degree, and that the knowledge I gained will apply directly to the work I want to do, as well as give me a good basis for continuing eduation, if I want to do that.

The actual graduation experience yesterday afternoon went by very quickly, with some processions, a few speeches, lots of smiling, and a ton of photos. We celebrated afterwards at Bob's Big Boy nearby, which was a favorite childhood restaurant that serves some pretty tasty hamburgers. Then we came home, and I got to watch Cyrano de Bergerac with my fiancee for fun, and that was the end of the day. I slept like a rock.

Today, we had a party at my parents' house with all of my available close family, and a few friends. I have to say it was probably the best party I remember having for me specifically. I'm not a big party person, and most of my birthdays are pretty low-key. My 21st birthday was a little bigger, but that's about it. The only other party I remember that was on par with this one was for my high school graduation back in 2003, which also made some great memories. But I have to say that I think this one topped it. I got a brief window into what other people think of me, and it was honestly very touching. To give details would be weird, I think, so I won't. But I've never had that kind of an experience before; it is not something I'll forget anytime soon. I even hugged my younger brother, which pretty much never happens–nothing against Greg or anything, but we aren't the huggy type. Tonight was different. I felt incredibly special on a very large scale. I'm not sure how else to put it.

It's been about eight months since my last post, and I've made it through three more quarters of Cal Poly education and a whole bunch of wedding plans. The wedding is six weeks from yesterday, and I'm getting very excited. Not nervous, honestly, but definitely excited. Nobody (including me) is sure why I'm not nervous, or whether it will hit me eventually. I'm in love, realistic, communicative, and not afraid of what might happen. I don't expect perfection or a complete lack of problems, but I don't fear dealing with them whenever they come up. I feel prepared for the challenges that we will inevitably face, which I think is the best position you can hope to be in before marriage.

Anyway, I decided that I want to try to make a post about each semester (or quarter, at Cal Poly) that I had in my college career so far, to briefly chronicle all of the classes and teachers I had, and summarize what I learned. Those will come soon, and should give me an excuse to write more in the very near future. For now, I'm off once again.

Graduation Celebration was last modified: March 14th, 2017 by Jeff Rowberg